What are caucuses and why is the first one in Iowa so important?

Published

10 months ago

January 14, 2024

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It might be nine months away – but the race to the US presidential election has well and truly begun.

The first step in deciding which candidate will get their party’s nomination begins in Iowa on Monday evening.

Since 1972, the midwestern state has been the first to hold its caucus – which has routinely acted as a litmus test for how candidates will fare later along the campaign trail.

But with the Democrats not voting at their Iowa event this year – and Donald Trump’s multiple brushes with the law, this year’s proceedings may not be straightforward.

Here we look at what happens in Iowa, what a caucus is, and whether the winners will be the ones to watch.

What is a caucus – and how does it work?

The road to a US presidential election is long, beginning almost exactly a year before the incumbent is inaugurated with a star-studded ceremony at the White House.

It begins with primaries and caucuses – two ways Democrats and Republicans begin the process of nominating a candidate.

The vast majority of states hold primaries, but Iowa and some other, traditionally Republican states opt for caucuses instead.

While primaries are like mini-elections, whereby party members can cast their vote at any point throughout the day, or sometimes by post, caucuses must be attended in person.

Primaries are run by the state whereas caucuses are organised by the parties themselves.

Caucuses take place at precinct, district, and state level in places such as schools, churches, and community centres.

Those who attend listen to speeches made on behalf of each potential candidate by their campaign representatives. Caucus-goers then vote for their preferred candidate and these are tallied in a matter of hours.

Primaries and caucuses can be open or closed, with the former allowing anyone to take part and the latter restricted to party-registered voters.

The outcome of the caucus or primary determines how many delegates each candidate gets to represent them at the party’s national convention in the summer.

At the convention, the candidate with the most delegates becomes the presidential nominee, but if there is no clear winner at primary or caucus level, the delegates vote again at the convention.

Why does Iowa go first?

Iowa has long been a traditionally Republican state, with its current governor, House representatives and senators all belonging to the GOP.

But from the 1950s, Democrats have had more of a presence there.

With the increasing influence of trade unions came calls for the state’s cities to get better political representation, more in line with rural areas.

Then after the Democratic National Convention of 1968, where protests over the Vietnam War resulted in a protester’s death and hundreds of injuries, Democrats in Iowa demanded reform of the state caucus system – to move power away from party bosses and more into the hands of grassroots activists.

This saw separate conventions created at state and district level, which elongated the caucus process and meant the whole thing had to start earlier.

As such, since 1972 Iowa has been what is commonly referred to as “first in the nation”.

Why has it become so important?

Iowa’s “first in the nation” status means it often acts as an initial performance indicator for nominee candidates.

“The results in Iowa sends a signal to the rest of the country on the tenor of each of the candidates and whether they really will have the chance of proceeding on,” Jim McCormick, emeritus professor of American politics and US foreign policy at Iowa State University, tells Sky News.

This was capitalised on in its first year, when South Dakota’s senator George McGovern realised Iowa would be first and made a particular effort there – with him going on to win the nomination for the Democrats.

Ahead of the next election in 1976, Jimmy Carter’s campaign team honed in on Iowa, which gained nationwide media coverage and ultimately helped propel him to the White House.

From then on, every US president since Carter, aside from Bill Clinton in 1992 and Joe Biden in 2020, has finished within the top three of the Iowa caucus.

Barack Obama often credits his win there with his election to the presidency in 2008.

But historically, coming first in the caucus has not guaranteed winning the party nomination, particularly among Republicans.

As such, there have only been three times when the winner of the Iowa caucus has gone on to win the Republican nomination.

Iowa has proportionately more white and elderly people than many other states, so despite efforts made by campaign teams, the result there can still turn out to be misleading.

Poor weather in January and the timing of the event can also lead to low turnout, with only 30% of registered Republicans taking part in 2016, the last time the race was competitive.

But Prof McCormick argues: “International observers have a tendency to look to New York, Washington DC, and Los Angeles to see what the US is all about.

“But Iowa is so-called ‘flyover country’, which is more reflective of the values of middle America. So even with its demography and relatively small ethnic minorities, the message that comes out of Iowa is consequential.”

To that effect, the Iowa caucus has consistently succeeded in getting weaker candidates who perform badly to pull out of the overall race.

What’s happening this year?

Although both parties are holding their Iowa caucuses on Monday, only the Republican one is important this year.

In 2020, the Iowa Democratic caucus was plagued with technical issues, mainly around a new app, and failed to produce a clear winner.

The result had to be recanvassed and the series of blunders resulted in the resignation of state party chairman Troy Price.

Consequently, this year’s Democratic caucus will not include a nominee ballot. This will happen via a postal vote beginning on 12 January and ending on 5 March instead.

Joe Biden is largely seen as uncontested, being so far ahead of the other major candidates, Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson, in the polls.

But Republicans will be voting on their preferred candidate at 7pm, with only registered party members and those aged 18 or over come election day allowed to take part at one of 1,700 local precincts.

As has been the case since the 1980s, the ballot will be carried out in secret.

Conditions are expected to be -19C (-2F) in the state on Monday, likely preventing many of its 600,000 registered Republicans from getting to the event, particularly those in rural areas.

Who’s in the running and what about Trump?

Despite multiple ongoing legal fights, Donald Trump is still dominating the polls.

While Ron DeSantis was long tipped to be his main competitor, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley has now surpassed the Florida governor in polling.

According to Prof McCormick, Mr Trump’s performance in Iowa is likely to determine whether either of the other two stand a chance of beating him to the nomination stage.

“Given that Trump has a very large lead, this is going to be an important signal to other states about whether there really is a chance of forestalling his getting the nomination,” he says.

While Ms Haley appears to have outperformed Mr DeSantis in the Iowa debates, her success in the caucus will depend on how well-organised her campaign team has been across the state, he adds.

“She’s been very well organised in New Hampshire (the next primary after Iowa), but in Iowa she’s been concentrating on people in the suburbs, because they are the people who will be able to get to the caucuses.

“DeSantis keeps saying he’s visited all 99 counties in Iowa – so he’s booking everything on it.

“But a lot of his support will come from rural counties, evangelical Christians, and older voters, who may not be able to get to the caucus sites in -26C.”

Mr DeSantis has also suffered from high staff turnover in his campaign team, weaker debate performances than Ms Haley, and having some views that are similar to Mr Trump’s, Prof McCormick adds.

These factors combined mean there is a greater risk of a poor result and him being forced to bow out.

Mr Trump, by contrast, skipped the debates, and took part in a Fox News town hall event instead.

As well as the economy, issues caucus-goers will be focused on include state laws recently passed on transgender and abortion rights, along with agricultural exports.

So is this year’s Iowa caucus really ‘one to watch’?

The short answer is yes.

Prof McCormick stresses: “If Trump comes out with a very large lead in Iowa, that should be taken as a very good indicator he’ll get the nomination.

“But if Trump doesn’t get at least 50% of the vote – and either Haley or DeSantis come up close, even within a 10-point margin, that really raises a question about his ‘slam dunk’ ability to dominate the process – and we could be looking at a different story.”

But beyond the nomination, Trump’s future is still uncertain, he adds.

“The Biden campaign has indicated they’ll be focused on Trump’s persona rather than a lot of the national issues. So he’ll be handicapped even if he gets the nomination.”

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While efforts by states such as Georgia and Maine to bar him from running are considered likely to be struck out by the Supreme Court, it is still unclear whether the lawsuits against him would prevent him from returning to the White House.

But if an Iowa win does see him secure the nomination, his supporter base is still very large, which means Monday’s caucus could end up having consequences far beyond the US.

Prof McCormick says: “Every time he’s been indicted, his popularity has gone up.

“So if Trump succeeds in getting voter turnout in Iowa that suggests we could see a foreign policy at odds with what Biden has been pursuing, which, given his attitudes towards NATO, Ukraine, and Russia, would be a huge concern for a lot of people.”

US

Donald Trump picks controversial MAGA loyalist Matt Gaetz to be his attorney general

Published

9 hours ago

November 14, 2024

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Donald Trump picks controversial MAGA loyalist Matt Gaetz to be his attorney general

Donald Trump has picked fiery Florida congressman Matt Gaetz to be his attorney general – a man who was under investigation over sex trafficking just days ago.

Democrats have described the MAGA loyalist as “a gonzo agent of chaos” and his appointment a “red alert moment for our democracy”, while some Republican senators have also raised doubts about his suitability for the role.

It comes as Mr Trump won control of the House of Representatives, giving him full control of the government, and continues to fill out his top team.

Mr Gaetz, 42, has been under investigation by the House of Representatives’ ethics committee over allegations he was part of a scheme that led to the sex trafficking of a 17-year-old girl.

But after he resigned from Congress on Wednesday following being named as Mr Trump’s pick for attorney general, that probe has ended – without the publication of any findings.

Despite the cloud over his character – Mr Gaetz denies all allegations – he has repeatedly shown his loyalty to the president-elect, attending his hush money trial in Manhattan and vociferously calling out prosecutors.

The MAGA firebrand in the past has spread the conspiracy theory that the January 6 riots were actually orchestrated by the left-leaning group Antifa.

If he’s going to lead the Department of Justice, the Florida politician needs to be confirmed by a Senate vote like other cabinet positions. That’s where it could get difficult for him.

What have Republicans said?

“I don’t think it’s a serious nomination for the attorney general,” Republican senator Lisa Murkowski said. “This one was not on my bingo card.”

Senator Susan Collins said she was “shocked” by the pick and said there would be “an awful lot of questions being asked in this case”.

Both Ms Murkowski and Ms Collins have been vocal Trump critics (the latter vowed to write fellow Republican Nikki Haley’s name on her ballot) and will be under the spotlight next year as their party retakes control of the Senate.

“I think it’s a little bit of a test,” said Republican senator Kevin Cramer.

He said he sees Mr Gaetz as a disruptive force in the House and has concerns about the “serious allegations” against him – but stopped short of saying he would not vote for him.

“It will take a lot of political capital to get him across,” he added.

“I’ve known Matt for a very long time, we’re friends,” said Florida senator Marco Rubio, who was nominated for secretary of state on Wednesday. “I think he would do a very good job for the president.”

Some Republican senators were reluctant to publicly criticise the incoming president’s pick to lead the justice department but did not endorse him either.

Senator John Cornyn, a member of the judiciary panel, said he did not know Mr Gaetz “other than his public persona”, and said he will not “prejudge any of these” nominations.

“I’ve got nothing for you,” said senator Katie Britt when asked by reporters. “We’ll see,” said senator Ron Johnson, when asked if he is voting for Mr Gaetz.

What have Democrats said?

Unsurprisingly, Democrats in Congress have been less restrained with their reactions to Mr Gaetz’s nomination.

Veteran senator Chris Murphy declared the announcement to be “a red alert moment for our democracy”.

Representative Jim Himes meanwhile, who sits on the House Intelligence Committee, told CNN the role of attorney general requires “care, prudency, a deep respect for the rule of law… Matt Gaetz is the opposite of all of those things, he is a gonzo agent of chaos”.

Senator Richard Blumenthal, who sits on the Senate’s judiciary panel, said the nomination was the “first test of whether Republicans are willing to stand up to Donald Trump and go with conscience and conviction as opposed to just politics”.

New Mexico senator Martin Heinrich was even more blunt, posting on X: “People voted for cheaper eggs, not whatever the f@#€ this is.”

US

Trump hands out top jobs: Who is in, who is out and who are the leading contenders?

Published

9 hours ago

November 14, 2024

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Trump hands out top jobs: Who is in, who is out and who are the leading contenders?

As the dust settles on Donald Trump’s US election win, the president-elect has begun choosing who will be in his administration for his second stint in the White House.

During the campaign, Mr Trump avoided directly confirming any appointments but frequently dropped hints about who he would like in his top team.

Nominees must be questioned by members of the Senate before it votes on their appointment. Even with the Republicans in control some of the picks are very controversial and could be blocked.

So who is in, who is out and who are the leading contenders for jobs?

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Who is in?

Susie Wiles

Susie Wiles is a veteran Republican campaign manager – having helped Ronald Reagan and Ron DeSantis get elected as well as Donald Trump in 2016 and 2024. She is the first member of his team to be announced – and becomes the first female chief-of-staff in American history.

The 67-year-old, who lives in Florida, has a political career that spans decades but has largely kept out of the limelight and rarely given interviews.

She is the daughter of late American footballer Pat Summerall and one of her first jobs in politics was as an assistant to one of his former New York Giants teammates when he became a Republican representative.

Outside politics, she has worked in the private sector as a lobbyist, for both Ballard Partners, whose clients include Amazon, Google, and the MLB (Major League Baseball), and then Mercury, which works with Elon Musk’s SpaceX and the embassy of Qatar.

This time around, Mr Trump credited her with his “best-run” presidential campaign, describing her as “incredible” at a Milwaukee rally earlier this year, and an “ice maiden” in his victory speech.

Matt Gaetz

Mr Trump has chosen Matt Gaetz, a man who once faced a federal sex trafficking probe, to be the nation’s top prosecutor.

The investigation, carried out by the Justice Department he will now lead, ended without charges.

However, it is just one of a number of reasons why his appointment as attorney general has raised concerns in Washington.

Mr Gaetz had also been under scrutiny by the House Ethics Committee over wider allegations including sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and accepting improper gifts.

The inquiry was dropped on Wednesday 13 November when Mr Gaetz left Congress – the only forum where the committee has jurisdiction.

The 42-year-old is a fierce Trump supporter who has regularly attacked both the Justice Department and the FBI, and even called for the FBI to be defunded and abolished.

He was particularly critical of the Justice Department’s investigation into the January 6 attack on the Capitol in 2021 – which resulted in charges against more than 1,500 Trump supporters and hundreds of convictions.

Veteran Democratic senator Chris Murphy declared his appointment as attorney general as “a red alert moment for our democracy”.

Another senior Democrat described Mr Gaetz as a “gonzo agent of chaos”.

Steve Bannon, Trump’s former adviser told NBC news: “President Trump is going to hit the Justice Department with a blowtorch, and Matt Gaetz is that torch.”

His nomination, which must be ratified by Congress, could be blocked unless Republicans unite around him.

Elon Musk

Tech billionaire Elon Musk became one of Mr Trump’s staunchest supporters in the months leading up to the election and spent at least $119m (£92m) canvassing for him in the seven battleground states.

Awarding his loyalty, Mr Trump announced Mr Musk will co-lead the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

In a statement on Tuesday, the president-elect said Mr Musk and Mr Ramaswamy “will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies”.

Despite its name, the DOGE is not a government agency and is instead set to provide “advice and guidance” from the outside of government.

The statement released by Mr Trump said it will partner with the office of management and budget to “drive large-scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to government never seen before”.

The department has been given a deadline of 4 July 2026 to conclude its work.

Vivek Ramaswamy

Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will join Elon Musk in leading DOGE.

Mr Ramaswamy, the founder of a pharmaceutical company, suspended his campaign in January to support Mr Trump.

In his 2021 bestseller book Woke, Inc, Mr Ramaswamy criticised the decisions of some big companies to base business strategy around social justice and climate change concerns.

Pete Hegseth

Fox News commentator and National Guard veteran Pete Hegseth has been picked as Mr Trump’s defence secretary.

In a statement, the president-elect described the 44-year-old as “tough, smart and a true believer in America First”.

He said: “With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice – our military will be great again, and America will never back down.”

If confirmed by the Senate, Mr Hegseth could make good on Mr Trump’s campaign promises to rid the US military of
generals who he accuses of pursuing progressive policies on diversity in the ranks that conservatives have rallied against.

In the past Mr Hegseth has expressed disdain for the so-called “woke” policies of Pentagon leaders including its top military officer.

He has also railed against NATO allies for being weak and claimed China is on the verge of dominating its neighbours.

Mr Hegseth has pushed for making the US military more lethal and argued allowing women to serve in combat hurts that effort.

“Everything about men and women serving together makes the situation more complicated, and complication in combat, that means casualties are worse,” he said in an interview on The Shawn Ryan Show podcast.

Though he said diversity in the military is a strength, he said that was because minority and white men “can perform similarly” but the same is not true for women.

Critics have pointed to Mr Hegseth’s lack of experience with some suggesting he could be defence secretary in name only as the Trump White House runs the department.

“There is reason for concern that this is not a person who is a serious enough policymaker, serious enough policy implementer, to do a successful job,” said Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.

Marco Rubio

Donald Trump has named Marco Rubio as his secretary of state, making him the first Latino member of the president-elect’s top team.

Mr Rubio, a Florida senator, unsuccessfully ran against Mr Trump to be the Republican presidential candidate in 2016.

In the past, the 53-year-old has advocated for muscular foreign policy with respect to the US’s geopolitical rivals, including China, Iran and Cuba.

However, over the last several years he has softened some of his stances to align more closely with Mr Trump’s views.

He was a contender to be his 2024 running mate before JD Vance landed the role.

Elise Stefanik

According to US network CNN, Mr Trump has offered fierce ally Elise Stefanik the job as US ambassador to the UN.

Citing two anonymous sources, CNN confirms rumours the Republican – who represents New York in the House – was lined up for the role.

Ms Stefanik has built up a national profile as an unwavering ally of the president-elect, shedding her early reputation as a moderate – having worked on Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign – to become the highest-ranking woman in the House Republican leadership.

Sky News’ US partner network NBC News reported in January this year she was being considered as Mr Trump’s pick for vice president.

Mr Trump reportedly described her as a “killer”.

Tom Homan

Mr Trump said late on Sunday that Tom Homan will return to government to be in charge of US borders and the deportation of illegal immigrants.

Announcing the news on Truth Social, the president-elect said “there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders” than his new “border czar”.

Mr Homan served as former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Mr Trump’s first term, and was an early backer of the president’s “zero tolerance” policy – which NBC News reported led to at least 5,500 families being separated at the southern border in 2018.

Earlier this year, he told a conservative conference he would “run the biggest deportation force this country has ever seen,” per NBC.

Mr Homan was also a contributor to Project 2025’s Mandate for Leadership book.

Mike Waltz

Trump loyalist Mike Waltz is the president-elect’s national security adviser – a powerful role which does not require confirmation from the Senate.

The 50-year-old, who served in the National Guard, will be responsible for briefing Mr Trump on key national security issues and coordinating with different agencies.

Having praised Mr Trump’s foreign policy views, Mr Waltz is a leading critic of China, and has spoken out about the country’s activity in the Asia-Pacific, claiming the US needs to be ready for a potential conflict in the region.

Kristi Noem

South Dakota governor Kristi Noem has been picked to serve as the next homeland security secretary.

Once seen as a possible running mate for the president-elect, Ms Noem is currently serving her second four-year term as South Dakota’s governor, having risen to prominence after refusing to impose a statewide mask order during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As head of homeland security, she will be responsible for everything from border protection and immigration to disaster response and the US Secret Service.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Trump said: “Kristi has been very strong on border security. She was the first governor to send National Guard soldiers to help Texas fight the Biden border crisis, and they were sent a total of eight times.”

He said Ms Noem would work closely with his “border czar,” Mr Homan.

Stephen Miller

Mr Trump has named Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner, to be his deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security adviser.

Mr Miller was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Mr Trump’s priority of mass deportations.

The 39-year-old previously served as a senior adviser during Mr Trump’s first administration.

Mr Miller has been a central figure in some of Mr Trump’s policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families.

John Ratcliffe

Former director of national intelligence John Ratcliffe has been picked by Mr Trump to serve as director of the
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

A former congressman and prosecutor, Mr Ratcliffe is seen as a Trump loyalist who is likely to win Senate confirmation.

Tulsi Gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic member of Congress and presidential candidate, has been chosen to serve as director of national intelligence.

“As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties – She is now a proud Republican!” Mr Trump said.

“I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength. Tulsi will make us all proud!”

She has been accused of amplifying Russian propaganda and would come to the job having never worked in the intelligence world or served on a congressional intelligence committee.

Two years ago it was claimed she echoed Russian propaganda by posting a video saying there were bio labs across Ukraine funded by the US.

Who is out?

Nikki Haley

Nikki Haley was once Mr Trump’s main rival during his run for the Republican presidential nomination.

Despite losing the contest, she proved her popularity with parts of the GOP and previously served in his first presidential cabinet as the US ambassador to the United Nations.

The 51-year-old also served as governor of South Carolina but news of her not being involved this time around was broken by the president-elect on his own social media platform, Truth Social.

In a short statement, Mr Trump said he would not be inviting either her or former secretary of state Mike Pompeo back but thanked them for their service.

In response, Ms Haley, who eventually endorsed Mr Trump despite harshly criticising him in the party primaries, said: “I was proud to work with President Trump defending America at the United Nations.

“I wish him, and all who serve, great success in moving us forward to a stronger, safer America over the next four years.”

Mike Pompeo

Mike Pompeo also served as the director of the CIA under Mr Trump and had been mentioned in some reports as a possible defence secretary or in relation to another role linked to national security, intelligence or diplomacy.

Mr Trump confirmed Mr Pompeo would not be returning to his cabinet in the same post that he ruled out Ms Haley.

Previously among Mr Trump’s closest allies, Mr Pompeo is one of the fiercest US defenders of Ukraine.

Who is yet to be decided?

Robert F Kennedy Jr

Robert F Kennedy Jr abandoned his independent presidential campaign to back Mr Trump in August.

It was a move that saw the prominent vaccine sceptic condemned by many members of his family, but as with Musk, his public support looks set to be rewarded by the president-elect.

Mr Trump has pledged to give him a role focusing on health policy and Mr Kennedy has hinted at one possible initiative, stating on X that “the Trump White House will advise all US water systems to remove fluoride from public water”, on inauguration day.

Mr Kennedy – the son of politician Robert F Kennedy and the nephew of assassinated president John F Kennedy – made a name for himself as a vaccine sceptic during the COVID-19 pandemic and has frequently repeated debunked claims, including linking vaccines to autism in children.

Don Jr, Eric and Lara Trump

Mr Trump’s daughter and son-in-law, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, were among his senior advisers during his first term. But will the businessman once again keep any family members close when he is in the Oval Office?

In June 2023, Mr Trump said he did not want his children to serve in a second administration, saying it was “too painful for the family”.

Nevertheless, while Ms Trump and Mr Kushner have stayed away from politics since, two of Mr Trump’s other sons – Don Jr and Eric – have played prominent roles on the campaign trail.

Eric’s wife, Lara Trump, already has a significant role in US politics, as she serves as co-chair of the Republican Party.

Larry Kudlow

Fox News personality Larry Kudlow served as director of the National Economic Council for much of Mr Trump’s first term and is said to have an outside shot at becoming his treasury secretary this time.

Other names being linked to the post include John Paulson – a billionaire hedge fund manager and donor, who hosted a fundraiser that raked in more than $50m (£38m) for the former president.

US

Civility at the White House as Trump sends Washington into an evening tailspin

Published

18 hours ago

November 14, 2024

admin

Civility at the White House as Trump sends Washington into an evening tailspin

At the White House on Wednesday, a hugely anticipated moment – the beginning of the transfer of power between two such fierce foes.

It was a moment of history, a moment of symbolism. It could have stoked bitterness and glee, but there was no sign of either.

However, it was not the biggest moment of the day. That came later.

For a second consecutive night, remarkable names have emerged for the people Donald Trump wants in his White House.

After Tuesday night’s news that Fox News host and former National Guard Major, Pete Hegseth, had been chosen by Mr Trump to be the next defence secretary, on Wednesday night came another Trump bombshell – and it sent establishment eyebrows beyond orbit.

‘A gonzo agent of chaos’

Firebrand, ultra-Maga loyalist Matt Gaetz has been announced as Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general, the country’s top law enforcement official.

This was entirely unexpected and sent Washington into an evening tailspin.

Veteran Democratic senator Chris Murphy declared the announcement to be “a red alert moment for our democracy”.

Representative Jim Himes, who sits on the House Intelligence Committee, told CNN the role of attorney general requires “…care, prudency, a deep respect for the rule of law… Matt Gaetz is the opposite of all of those things, he is a gonzo agent of chaos”.

Gaetz, 42, has faced multiple allegations of wrongdoing, including a federal sex trafficking probe that ended without charges against him.

A related House ethics inquiry is ongoing but would be dropped if he were to leave Congress because it only has jurisdiction in that forum.

He has never worked as a prosecutor and has only worked in law for a few years at local level.

His nomination requires the approval of Congress. Even with a Republican majority in both houses, Gaetz may struggle. He is not popular among more traditional Republican politicians.

For Donald Trump, the choice reflects precisely the vision he outlined for the Justice Department – a department that will do his bidding with no sense of independence or objectivity.

It is an intentionally provocative pick of a proud provocateur. On brand to a tee and it is the product of American democracy.

The White House transition

Earlier in the day, Donald Trump’s private jet touched down at Joint Base Andrews on the edge of Washington DC. The cameras caught it passing the parked presidential jets on the tarmac – the planes that will be flying him again soon.

The president-elect’s staff were framing this flight to Washington as a triumphant return. On social media, one senior adviser set the images of the landing to the sound of Kanye West’s Homecoming.

It was back to the future for the comeback president.

As he descended the steps of “Trump Force One”, I’d have given more than a penny for the inner thoughts of the man.

Surely, for him, this moment was a neat two fingers for the many who said he never would; that he never could.

But he did. Four years ago he was a busted flush in the eyes of the Washington establishment; a liability to them exiled to Mar-a-Lago. He had lost the White House and his party had failed to win either house of congress.

Four years on, he won back the White House, taking every one of America’s swing states, and his party has won both houses of Congress – a clean sweep. And he did it all despite the court cases, the warnings that he is a threat to the democracy of the nation.

Love him or loathe him, admire him or fear him, his return on Wednesday to the White House to begin the transition to be America’s 47th president is a stunning political turnaround.

Anticipating this moment of transition, this moment in history, the cameras of the world were there.

The incoming president was a few minutes late for his appointment with the outgoing president. They met in the Oval Office in front of a roaring fire that was, for sure, warmer than the vibe in the room.

A handshake and civility

For all the anticipation – what would it be like? The body language? The mood?

If Donald Trump was gleeful, he didn’t show it. If Joe Biden was bitter, he didn’t show it either.

Two men who have such starkly different visions shook hands. Two men who have exchanged such brutal words for each other over the course of many years now smiled and exchanged pleasantries.

“A danger to democracy,” Joe Biden has said of Donald Trump so many times. Well, now the process of democracy required this moment: a handshake and civility.

President Biden surely wanted to give Donald Trump what he never offered four years ago: a concession of defeat and a transition.

Remember, in 2020, there was no Oval Office moment. Instead, Donald Trump was denying he had lost the election.

It was the outgoing press secretary left to describe the details of the two-hour meeting.

“I can say that it was indeed very cordial, very gracious and substantive. And I mentioned at the top, national security was discussed, domestic policy issues were discussed.”

By nightfall, the White House had released the official photos of the meeting. They are images for the ages.